Will Voting on Blockchain keep elections fair and transparent?
Originally published at TF Blockchain
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Blockchain-Based Voting To Enhance Free And Transparent Elections
Blockchain is the unrivaled technology taking the world by storm. Right from revolutionizing the financial sector, the technology now promises to enhance general elections and the voting experience. In an era where self-driving cars are becoming a reality, the digital ledger technology may as well be the technology to transparent power elections free of interference around the world.
Voting technologies powered by blockchain technology are increasingly cropping up at a time when people are calling for a secure and easier way of completing this civic duty. Likewise, the technology could as well be the ultimate solution for citizens dealing with corrupt governments known to steal elections.
Heading into the 2020 U.S election, blockchain technology could help enhance the voting experience for one of the biggest democracies in the world.
Blockchain Voting Systems
While blockchain has found great use in storing and facilitating financial transactions, it is increasingly proving to be valuable in facilitating any data transmission. The blockchain system infrastructure could be instrumental in elections because of its ability to ensure the credibility of the high-value data.
Blockchain, as a digital ledger technology, draws its power from nodes or peers on the network that verifies, process, and record transactions. The technology stands to be a game-changer in the voting business on the fact that data on the chain is never stored in centralized locations. Instead, data on the digital ledger exists on the chain supported by millions of decentralized nodes.
The revolutionary technology also comes with powerful encryption, which means it is impossible to alter or change data analyzed and approved into the chain. That said, the blockchain database is incorruptible. The fact that no single party can influence or take control of any data inserted in the blockchain makes it ideal for voting systems. Similarly, all contents in the digital ledger are easily verifiable, suitable for carrying out audits when it comes to voting.
Solving Age Old Voting Problems
Traditional voting systems involve people leaving their home to go and wait in long queues to submit paper ballots. Blockchain technology promises to solve this age-old problem by taking voting online. Unlike other voting systems, voters would not have to worry about the security of the system when voting online.
Security is one of the reasons why blockchain stands out as an ideal solution for powering online voting. The fact that data is stored in millions of nodes distributed around the world means no single hacker can hack all the nodes at once to alter its content. The immutable digital ledger also means no one can alter any contents of the voting system.
Similarly, blockchain technology would make it possible for people to submit their votes without revealing their identity, let alone political preference. Likewise, the technology would make it possible for officials to count votes with absolute certainty and not having to worry about double entries given that each ID in the system would always amount to one vote.
Conclusion
Blockchain technology promises to spearhead free, fair, and transparent election where each vote counts. Likewise, the technology promises to do away with fears of elections interference where votes are rigged off by officials or the system in favor of specific candidates. The technology could offer the ultimate solution in dealing with corrupt governments known to steal elections and interfere with the will of the people.